Boxer loyal to Senate colleague

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the centrist Democrat who came to national prominence as Al Gore’s running mate in 2000, is in a dogfight to keep his seat in the Senate. Analysts believe he could lose the Democratic primary Aug. 8 to challenger Ned Lamont because of Lieberman’s unflinching support for the war in Iraq. Lieberman announced this week he will collect signatures to run as an independent on the November ballot if he loses the primary.

Now one of the Senate’s most vociferous anti-war voices — California Democrat Barbara Boxer — is trying to help her old Senate buddy.

Boxer told the Chronicle today she plans to appear on Lieberman’s behalf at an environmental event in Connecticut on air pollution and children’s asthma.

The not-so-subtle message of the event to Democrats: You may think he’s too close to President Bush on the war, but he’s been with you on other important Democratic issues.

“I campaign for a lot of my colleagues,” Boxer explained in a phone interview. “Joe is in a very tough primary. I understand that. He has been one of my strongest allies on the environment and on choice.

“I strongly disagree with him on the war,” she added. “We both accept that. We don’t have any common ground on that issue. The voters of Connecticut, the Democrats, are going to decide if they want him. We’ll see what happens after the election.”

Other Senate Democrats also are lending a hand to the beleaguered Lieberman campaign: Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado plan to make appearances in Connecticut before the primary.

Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, who is trying to lock up grassroots support from party activists for a 2008 presidential bid, has endorsed Lieberman for the primary, but added she’ll support whichever Democratic candidate emerges from the primary — even if it’s Lamont, a wealthy businessman from Greenwich who is pouring at least $1.5 million of his fortune into the race.

Boxer, who calls Lieberman a friend, said she’s not willing to join Clinton in that pledge, at least not yet.

“I’ll make an announcement” after the primary, Boxer said. “I’ll let you know.”